Would you make a track car out of a Granturismo
Discussion
JJbing said:
Why don't you buy a 2 seater strad, most of the work done for you...
This is a very good point, if I'd have set out with this as a purpose. I'm interested in opinions on whether this would be something other enthusiasts would do, or wouldn't do.
You don't see much with a Maserati badge at track events, and despite its size, I think the car performs more than well enough to enjoy.
I also wonder if the second hand value of parts mean more cars end up being stripped and sold rather than made into toys...
Mr Spoon said:
Forget the fact the car is a GT car, it is a reasonably fast and capable car and seems like it will be loads of track fun. Weight saving might be the main focus, rather than increasing power, and with parts for Masers being expensive, some of the parts being taken out could be sold on.
Realistically, from a 1.9t car, would a few hundred kilos be achievable?
Would you?
Would I?
If you have the money & time, for something you like, for this exact car type, which is your personal project, why not? You 'get' the fun this car is for you. I saw one being thrown round Goodwood years ago (playing with a Bentley Continental & 'black' series 2 seater Mercedes) which looked standard.Realistically, from a 1.9t car, would a few hundred kilos be achievable?
Would you?
Would I?
As others have said, easiest way for what you already have (& like), is just to do suspension & brakes, but be prepared for tyre/brake/disc wear - -especially if driving home from track. Possible set of lighter wheels for track use/support car? Another point - how easy it is sort software when getting a part stripped out car through the MOT, as no dashboard warning lights allowed now etc?
I like the idea, I'd love to see (& hear) a Maserati on a trackday, but as this is for only one particular car model, only you can tell if the 'feel' of the final car setup (as neither full road or race) is worth the time/money/effort compared to leaving it standard/almost standard.
Mr Spoon said:
Murph7355 said:
Not in a million years.
its comments like this that help with the burning desire to do the opposite. Own a maserati do you 
Perhaps you would like to put a reasoning as to your comment
They are heavy cars. Strip what you want out, but you will still be left with a heavy car that is no longer that comfortable.
They are big cars. They are a full 4-seater. Their width and length and wheelbase was never intended for the track and to make the best track car out there. They were intended to give the world a GT (clue's in the name) that could handle 4 people and luggage whilst looking lovely and sounding lovelier.
For the weight, they're not *that* powerful. And making it so will likely end up making one noisier than it currently is which might well preclude use on some tracks.
They chew fuel even in intended usage mode. Fuel is now £1.50/litre (give or take).
Parts aren't cheap (engine tuning? Brakes? Tyres? Etc).
But apart from those items I can't think of any more ideal base from which to start for a track car
(I'm being sarcastic of course. I can think of plenty).I admire people who chuck lots of money doing daft stuff with cars. Been there myself....although in my defence, when I was doing it I was throwing money at making a Caterham 7 200g lighter with my wages.
I appreciate Maserati made a GT4....but look how well that worked out. Even they, with all their resources, couldn't turn the sow's ear into a silk purse
I have a soft spot for the GT. But it ain't no track car.
Murph7355 said:
Mr Spoon said:
Murph7355 said:
Not in a million years.
its comments like this that help with the burning desire to do the opposite. Own a maserati do you Perhaps you would like to put a reasoning as to your comment
They are heavy cars. Strip what you want out, but you will still be left with a heavy car that is no longer that comfortable.
They are big cars. They are a full 4-seater. Their width and length and wheelbase was never intended for the track and to make the best track car out there. They were intended to give the world a GT (clue's in the name) that could handle 4 people and luggage whilst looking lovely and sounding lovelier.
For the weight, they're not *that* powerful. And making it so will likely end up making one noisier than it currently is which might well preclude use on some tracks.
They chew fuel even in intended usage mode. Fuel is now £1.50/litre (give or take).
Parts aren't cheap (engine tuning? Brakes? Tyres? Etc).
But apart from those items I can't think of any more ideal base from which to start for a track car
(I'm being sarcastic of course. I can think of plenty).I admire people who chuck lots of money doing daft stuff with cars. Been there myself....although in my defence, when I was doing it I was throwing money at making a Caterham 7 200g lighter with my wages.
I appreciate Maserati made a GT4....but look how well that worked out. Even they, with all their resources, couldn't turn the sow's ear into a silk purse
I have a soft spot for the GT. But it ain't no track car.
It would be undoubtedly an expensive day at the track for sure.
Repairs, I don't use maserati although parts are still a premium, a friend and I can spanner away ok..him more than me.
Good point ref Maserati, I suppose they wanted to make a competitive gt4 car, but competitive isn't the aim, having fun is.
There seems more in camp no than yes.
Mr Spoon said:
Murph7355 said:
Mr Spoon said:
Am I right in thinking you can avoid MOT failures using tape over warning lights or is that myth? ...
To what end? Which warning lights?Mr Spoon said:
And thank you for the reply..
It would be undoubtedly an expensive day at the track for sure.
Repairs, I don't use maserati although parts are still a premium, a friend and I can spanner away ok..him more than me.
Good point ref Maserati, I suppose they wanted to make a competitive gt4 car, but competitive isn't the aim, having fun is.
There seems more in camp no than yes.
NP It would be undoubtedly an expensive day at the track for sure.
Repairs, I don't use maserati although parts are still a premium, a friend and I can spanner away ok..him more than me.
Good point ref Maserati, I suppose they wanted to make a competitive gt4 car, but competitive isn't the aim, having fun is.
There seems more in camp no than yes.
I don't think it would end up that much "fun" tbh. I posted this elsewhere on here when I owned the GT - whilst they can be hustled admirably quickly, they don't feel like they're enjoying it. A bit like me - I can run....but I'm no longer very good at it and don't really enjoy it when I do
They are built for cruising - smashing miles to the South of France would be the perfect use of the car!A long time ago I was in France on a track day and a Cerbera rocked up. These are also great cars, but track vehicles they are not. The owner looked to be having a torrid time. Lots of hard, sweaty work, all to be lapped very quickly by the proper track stuff.
If you have the space, keep the Maser for what it does best and buy something cheap to thrash round a track. There's a ton of stuff you could choose from that would be great fun and much, much cheaper to run
Murph7355 said:
Mr Spoon said:
Murph7355 said:
Mr Spoon said:
Am I right in thinking you can avoid MOT failures using tape over warning lights or is that myth? ...
To what end? Which warning lights?Mr Spoon said:
And thank you for the reply..
It would be undoubtedly an expensive day at the track for sure.
Repairs, I don't use maserati although parts are still a premium, a friend and I can spanner away ok..him more than me.
Good point ref Maserati, I suppose they wanted to make a competitive gt4 car, but competitive isn't the aim, having fun is.
There seems more in camp no than yes.
NP It would be undoubtedly an expensive day at the track for sure.
Repairs, I don't use maserati although parts are still a premium, a friend and I can spanner away ok..him more than me.
Good point ref Maserati, I suppose they wanted to make a competitive gt4 car, but competitive isn't the aim, having fun is.
There seems more in camp no than yes.
I don't think it would end up that much "fun" tbh. I posted this elsewhere on here when I owned the GT - whilst they can be hustled admirably quickly, they don't feel like they're enjoying it. A bit like me - I can run....but I'm no longer very good at it and don't really enjoy it when I do
They are built for cruising - smashing miles to the South of France would be the perfect use of the car!A long time ago I was in France on a track day and a Cerbera rocked up. These are also great cars, but track vehicles they are not. The owner looked to be having a torrid time. Lots of hard, sweaty work, all to be lapped very quickly by the proper track stuff.
If you have the space, keep the Maser for what it does best and buy something cheap to thrash round a track. There's a ton of stuff you could choose from that would be great fun and much, much cheaper to run
I've just posed the question out of interest.
Completely agree with the track comments, however there is something that doesnt appear to have been mentioned, the skill level of the drivers make all the difference, so a much better track driver in a much inferior car will give you the inevitable.
I went for an enthusiastic drive with my friend who has a limited CTR and to quote him directly, "you pedal her well.".
I had excellent fun, as much as I did in the Boxster and at no point did the weight of the car become apparent. I imagine, in a track environment, this might be noticeable, but then again, the car has almost 50/50 weight distribution, I can only surmise that this is helpful.
Also note the point about the car feeling stressed, and you are probably right. The car won't lap this up like my swift gti used to
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